It was an easy decision for us to stay in the heart of Shibuya for our first trip to Tokyo. It’s right in the heart of all the action, and there’s so much to see, do, and eat!
Shibuya is Tokyo’s most vibrant and energetic neighbourhood, and there are plenty of fun things to do in this exciting area.
From the world-famous scramble crossing to endless shopping, there’s always something exciting happening here.
We stayed at all day place, a modern hotel located right around the corner from Shibuya Crossing. It was so much fun being right in the middle of everything!
We did have to sacrifice space for the sake of location, but it was totally worth it. Especially for our first trip to Japan!
Whether it’s your first time in Tokyo or you’ve visited before, Shibuya is one of those places you can keep coming back to and still discover something new.
Here are fun things to do in Shibuya that absolutely deserve a spot on your Tokyo itinerary!
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Plan your Tokyo trip
If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, here are some other posts to help you plan your perfect trip:
- Looking for more things to do? Check out the most fun things to do in Shinjuku.
Fun things to do in Shibuya
Cross the Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Of course, you can’t come to Shibuya without experiencing the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world!
Watching hundreds of people crossing from every direction at once is such a surreal, only-in-Tokyo moment.
And walking right through the bustling crowd is just as wild of an experience!
It was really funny to witness coming from Toronto, as people here are always in a rush to get where they’re going, but that’s elevated times a thousand in Tokyo.
You can also head up to the Starbucks by Shibuya Crossing to get views from above, though it may be difficult to get a window seat.
We accidentally went to Starbucks for 7 AM, without realizing not many people would be crossing at that time.
Keep in mind that you do have to purchase food or drink in order to sit here, but it’s a great opportunity to try Japan-exclusive Starbucks offerings!
Go-kart through the streets of Shibuya
Yep, you can actually pretend like you’re in Mario Kart and drive a go-kart through the bustling streets of Tokyo.
It may be a little intimidating if you’re not a confident driver, but the tour is entirely guided and the guide makes sure everyone is safe and following at all times!
We booked our go-karting tour with Street Kart, and absolutely loved our experience.
They even take plenty of photos for you, which is really nice, but you also get plenty of time at red lights to take selfies.
They even offer costumes so you can get dressed up as your favourite characters.
We dressed up as Pikachu and Charizard from Pokémon!
It’s such a unique and thrilling way to explore Shibuya. I’d highly recommend doing it if you love adventurous activities!
Just make sure to bring your international driver’s permit, which you can get from CAA if you’re in Canada!
Unfortunately, this also means kids cannot do the tour, as you do need to be able to drive.
Enjoy sunset views from Shibuya Sky
For the most beautiful panoramic views of Tokyo, head up to Shibuya Sky, a newer attraction to the city.
The 360° open-air observation deck gives you stunning views of the city skyline from 229m above Shibuya, and if you go around sunset, it’s pure magic.
The outdoor escalator is the main reason why Shibuya Sky is so popular – it’s super Instagrammable!
And if you’re lucky, you can even see Mount Fuji on a clear day.
We did manage to book our reservation around sunset time, but sadly it was an overcast day, so we didn’t get to experience an actual sunset!
We still had a very lovely time taking in all the gorgeous views and snapping plenty of photos.
The nice thing about your ticket is that once you’re in, you can stay as long as you like.
So, if you don’t manage to get a sunset slot, you can come a bit earlier in the afternoon and just stay for a bit longer!
Tickets open up 2 weeks in advance at midnight Japan time, with admission starting at ¥2700pp.
You’ll also need an ¥100 coin to rent a locker, as no bags are allowed!
Snap photos at the Nintendo Tokyo and Pokémon Center
If you’re a gamer or just love shopping for cute merch, don’t miss these flagship stores inside Shibuya PARCO, a mall in the heart of Shibuya.
You’ll find exclusive items, interactive displays, and of course, tons of fun photo ops.
It’s truly a paradise for Nintendo and Pokémon fans alike.
My gamer husband was full of nostalgic joy wandering around both stores!
Taste 7 levels of matcha gelato at Nanaya Aoyama
Pop into this sweets shop that’s been in operation since 1907, where you can try 7 different levels of matcha from lightest to strongest.
Level 1 is the sweetest, and a good option if you’re just dabbling in matcha for the first time.
Level 7 is made with the highest grade of matcha and more for experienced matcha lovers!
To be honest, I was worried level 7 would be too bitter for me, but it had both the perfect amount of bitterness and sweetness, and was very enjoyable.
They even have a chocolate box featuring 7 levels of matcha, perfect for bringing back home with you from your travels!
Shop your way through Shibuya
Shopping in Shibuya is so good, and we wished we’d dedicated more time for this during our trip.
Explore shops along the streets and inside the malls – you’ll never be bored wandering and browsing through all the different stores.
Here’s a quick list of some of our fave stores in Shibuya:
- cas:pace – offers some of the coolest phone cases we’ve ever seen
- B Side Label – really cool art stickers, pins, and more
- MEGA Don Quijote (AKA Donki) – Japanese discount store chain, and the largest Don Quijote in the world
Shibuya 109 is an absolute must for my girlie-pops who love cute and trendy clothing – it’s eight storeys completely filled with Japanese clothing and accessory stores!
Wander around Harajuku
Of course, you’ve also gotta wander through the iconic Harajuku neighbourhood.
This buzzing area is known for its youthful fashion, vibrant dessert shops, and animal cafés, most notably along Takeshita Street.
This was one of our areas of Tokyo, and we actually enjoyed shopping in all the boutiques around here even more than in the main Shibuya area!
Some of the shops I really liked were BEAMS Harajuku (my favourite out of all the BEAMS locations we visited) and the Sanrio store.
My husband really liked HUMAN MADE and FR2 for men’s clothing!
If you get a chance, you’ve gotta stop into I’m Donut? for their viral donuts – the line was too long when we went, but all my friends who’ve been have said that it’s worth the hype!
Stroll through Yoyogi Park
Just a short walk from Harajuku, Yoyogi Park is the perfect spot to take a break from the city buzz.
This serene park is one of Tokyo’s largest green spaces, known for its tree-lined paths and peaceful atmosphere.
We visited during the late spring/early summer, and we saw plenty of beautiful blooms in the rose garden.
If you’re visiting during early spring, you can even see the park full of cherry blossoms!
Meiji Jingu is a beautiful shrine located right beside the park, and you’ll definitely want to take your time exploring it.
The shrine was built in 1920 to commemorate Japan’s first modern emperor and his consort, Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
The grounds and architecture are absolutely stunning!
We sadly didn’t budget enough time to wander through Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu, and I’d recommend spending at least an hour here!
Visit an animal café
Japan is full of animal cafés, and while it is very fun and cute to play with animals, not all of them are run ethically.
If you plan on visiting any animal cafés, I’d recommend looking into them to make sure they take good care of their animals.
The best way to do this would be to look at their Google reviews!
We visited mipig cafe in Harajuku and played with the cutest and cuddliest micro pigs.
Admission to the mipig cafe is ¥3300 per person for 25 minutes!
We also planned to visit the cat cafe Mocha in Shibuya, but we didn’t get a chance to while we were in Tokyo!
You can also find plenty of cute animal cafés in Shinjuku.
Stop by the Hachiko Statue
You may have heard the tale of Hachiko before: a loyal dog who waited for his owner outside the station every single day, even after his passing.
While it is just a quick stop, it’s one of Tokyo’s most heartwarming spots to visit.
You can find the famous Hachiko Statue right outside of Shibuya Station.
Fun fact, Shibuya Station is one of the busiest railway stations in the world!
I’d also recommend watching Hachikō Monogatari before your visit, which is a Japanese film inspired by Hachiko’s story.
We haven’t seen that film yet, but we have seen the Chinese remake, Hachiko, where we both sobbed our hearts out.
Fun things to do in Shibuya:
- Cross the Shibuya Scramble Crossing
- Go-kart through the streets of Shibuya
- Enjoy sunset views from Shibuya Sky
- Snap photos at the Nintendo Tokyo and Pokémon Center
- Taste 7 levels of matcha gelato at Nanaya Aoyama
- Shop your way through Shibuya
- Wander around Harajuku
- Stroll through Yoyogi Park
- Visit an animal café
- Stop by the Hachiko Statue
Whether you’re zipping through the streets of Tokyo on a go-kart or watching the twinkling city lights from Shibuya Sky, you’ll find something unforgettable around every corner of Shibuya.
It’s bustling, it’s vibrant, and it’s one of my favourite areas to explore in Tokyo.
Have you done any of these activities in Shibuya? What are some other fun things to do in the iconic Shibuya neighbourhood? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!
Plan your Tokyo trip
If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, here are some other posts to help you plan your perfect trip:
- Looking for more things to do? Check out the most fun things to do in Shinjuku.
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